Comfort food meets hot honey heat
This is the ultimate pasta bake, and the most delicious weeknight dinner. It’s creamy, saucy, cheesy, and topped with crispy, buttery breadcrumbs. I used Sauz Hot Honey pasta sauce to give it some heat (highly recommend), plus rotisserie chicken to keep it easy. This is one of those throw-it-together dinners that feels a lot more effort-y than it actually is.
Recipe Rundown
Why This Pasta Bake Wins Dinner
I’ve made a lot of pasta bakes in my day, but I’m telling you—this one is hands-down the best. I don’t say that lightly. It’s everything: creamy, cheesy, saucy, and perfectly spiced. We couldn’t stop going back for more.
That Ricotta Texture
The ricotta gives it a lasagna-style vibe without all the layering drama. It melts right into the pasta, making it rich and creamy with just the right amount of bite. It’s the kind of texture that literally makes you not want to put down the fork.
Spicy Sauce Surprise
I used a new spicy pasta sauce from Sauz—specifically the Hot Honey flavor—and wow. It brought just enough heat to balance the cheese without overpowering anything. If you’re not into spice or can’t find it, no biggie. Use your favorite jarred sauce and it’ll still be delicious.
Don’t Skip the Bread
Highly recommend serving this with a warm baguette. Slice it, add a little butter and garlic, toast it in the oven, and you’re good to go. Trust me, this is the most perfect pairing for this bake!
FAQ
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yep! Penne, rotini, rigatoni—anything short and sturdy will work.
What can I substitute for ricotta?
Cottage cheese works in a pinch, or skip it altogether if you’re not a fan. You’ll still get plenty of creaminess from the mozzarella and Parmesan.
Is it really spicy?
With the Hot Honey sauce and red pepper flakes, it has a little heat—but it’s not too intense. You can tone it down by using a milder sauce and skipping the flakes.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate up to a day in advance. Bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes to the time if it’s cold from the fridge.
What’s a good side dish?
Garlic bread and a green salad are classic. Or just go full comfort-food mode and add roasted broccoli or cheesy cauliflower on the side.
Sprinkle of Fun
Make this your go-to for a midweek family dinner night. While it’s bubbling away in the oven, set the table, pour some drinks, and pick a card game everyone can get in on (Uno, Go Fish, or a dramatic round of Old Maid). This bake is warm, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing—aka the perfect excuse to sit down, eat together, and laugh a little longer before the week rushes back in.
Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 jar (24 oz) pasta sauce — I used Sauz Hot Honey for a spicy kick
- 8 oz cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni) — I used whole grain rotini
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken with pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Spread the cooked pasta into the baking dish—it won’t cover the whole bottom, but that’s fine. Drop spoonfuls of ricotta over the pasta, then pour the chicken and sauce mixture over everything. Gently toss to combine.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly across the top.
- Stir panko with melted butter, then scatter it over the cheese layer.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and golden on top.
- Serve warm, ideally with garlic bread
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